New Zealand Rugby Team Watch

[Dismal Pillock]

Going to be a hiding.

Japan have picked a bunch of kids.

Actual Japanese kids too, not the usual frankenmess of island "scholarship" pisstake selections

 

[Dismal Pillock]

ffs this Japan XV backline are slick, look like they've been playing together for years.

Maori scrum backpedalling horrifically.

Still, only 5-5 after 25 mins, Japan should be 15 pts up by now

 

[WoodysRFC]

What about now?

 

[Dismal Pillock]

36-10 final score. Japan looked way better than that, they just kept rogering up the daftest things. Could NOT maintain possession going into contact.

IWL went well on D.

TTT might not even get a soup contract next season. Slower than the props.

 

[Dan54]

Genuinely agree, I thought Japan looked a lot better than scoreboard showed at fulltime. Really liked the look of the kid at 15. but he wasn't only one that looked like a handy player to me.

 

[waiopehu oldboy]

 

[fatprop]

 

[zer0]

Fuck me he is painfully unfunny and tries so hard. I just cannot get through more than a few minutes of that nonsense regardless of how good his analysis allegedly may be.

 

[waiopehu oldboy]

Portia Woodman-Wickliffe has announced her retirement after the Olympics:

'Unbelievable career': Tributes flow for retiring rugby star Woodman-Wickliffe

"She's certainly paved the way for women's rugby in New Zealand," said All Blacks lock Patrick Tuipulotu.

www.newshub.co.nz

Highlights reel(s) to follow...

 

[waiopehu oldboy]

^ I knew there'd be more than one PW-W highlights reel but there's dozens of them so, not "highlights reel(s) to follow" more go on YouTube & take your pick.

 

[waiopehu oldboy]

Māori All Blacks v Japan XV Game 2: *denotes new caps
Pouri Rakete-Stones (Ngāpuhi)
Kurt Eklund (Ngāti Kahu)
Marcel Renata (Ngāti Whanaunga, Ngāi Takoto)
Isaia Walker-Leawere (Ngāti Porou)
Laghlan McWhannell (Ngāti Kahungunu)
Te Kamaka Howden (Tūhoe)
Billy Harmon (Ngāi Tahu)
Cameron Suafoa (Ngāpuhi)
Sam Nock (Ngāpuhi)
Rivez Reihana (Ngāi Tahu, Ngāti Hine, Ngāpuhi, Ngāti Tūwharetoa)
Bailyn Sullivan (Ngāti Kahungunu)
Quinn Tupaea (Ngaati Tiipa, Ngaati Amaru, Waikato)
Rameka Poihipi © (Ngāti Whakaue)
Josh Moorby (Ngāti Maniapoto)
Cole Forbes (Ngāti Awa)

Tyrone Thompson (Ngāti Rangiwewehi, Ngāi Tāmanuhiri)
Ollie Norris (Ngāpuhi)
Benet Kumeroa (Te Ātihaunui a Pāpārangi)
Max Hicks (Ngāti Ranginui)
Nikora Broughton* (Ngā Rauru, Ngāti Ruanui)
Te Toiroa Tahuriorangi (Ngāti Rangitihi, Ngāti Pikiao, Tūhourangi, Ngāti Whakaue, Ngāti Awa)
Taha Kemara* (Te Whānau a Apanui, Te Whakatōhea)
Corey Evans* (Te Aupouri, Ngāti Kahu)

Unavailable for selection due to injury:
Joe Moody (Ngāi Tahu)
Daniel Rona (Te Ātiawa)

At Toyota Stadium, Tokyo tonight at 9 NZT.

 

[waiopehu oldboy]

I've mentioned on here a few times how high school basketball has overtaken rugby in participants but that I wasn't sure if that would have carryover effects once those boys leave school.

NZ U17 have just beaten Lithuania* to make the FIBA U17 World Cup semi final v USA, having never previously finished better than twelfth. Maybe it's a Golden Generation scenario but if I'm a rugby administrator I'm worried it might be something more than that.

* also beat Turkey, Argentina & Egypt, only losing to Italy so it's not a freak/ quirk of the draw result by any means.

 

[WoodysRFC]

I've mentioned on here a few times how high school basketball has overtaken rugby in participants but that I wasn't sure if that would have carryover effects once those boys leave school.

NZ U17 have just beaten Lithuania* to make the FIBA U17 World Cup semi final v USA, having never previously finished better than twelfth. Maybe it's a Golden Generation scenario but if I'm a rugby administrator I'm worried it might be something more than that.

* also beat Turkey, Argentina & Egypt, only losing to Italy so it's not a freak/ quirk of the draw result by any means.

Yeah, between the NRL cherry picking our most athletic outside backs as 16 year olds, and all our tall timber playing basketball, it's no wonder we've been on a slide the past seven years. Our best players currently all came through prior to 2017 and the next generation are a bit of a step down imo.

 

[Dismal Pillock]

 

[waiopehu oldboy]

Yeah it's not the NZR Gotterdammerung some on here predict/ wish for but it's something I would hope the Junior Advisory Boards & Development Officers are all over e.g. counter-scouting b-ball comps for those kids who aren't going to make it to a US College or the ANBL but will still fill out to 120kg+ at 2.0-something m which seems to be the frame size we're lacking in our game right now. Plus the kids who will only reach a certain too-short-for-b'ball height but could be grown into 130kg props, 110kg midfielders etc.

 

[zer0]

Undercover footage of typical meeting between a NZR official and US college basketball talent scout at Auckland international arrivals.

 

[Dismal Pillock]

HT
Maori: 0
Japan B: 8

Maori trying to score off every possession. It's like their brains are scrambled by the heat. They had about 10 drinks breaks in the half.

Billy Harmon has been inexplicably bad. Didnt know he was even capable of being this shit. Just fucking terrible.

 

[Dismal Pillock]

A black day for NZ.

The once proud and noble New Zealand Maori Rugby Football team have lost a rugby match to Japan oops sorry I mean Japan fucking B.

 

[waiopehu oldboy]

Another Super Rugby 5/8 heading overseas:

Stuff

www.stuff.co.nz

Also coupla rumours circulating wrt RMo either not taking up the option of a third season in Japan and/ or signing up for 2026 NPC & 2027 Super Rugby as early as the next Japan off-season, either of which would make him AB-eligible for 2025 TRC provided NZR stretch the rules a bit.

 

[WoodysRFC]

Another Super Rugby 5/8 heading overseas:

Stuff

www.stuff.co.nz

Not surprised, had completely dropped off in form after his breakout season with the Highlanders. Can't help but feel it was attitude that held him back, as clearly he wasn't rated by Tony Brown, who preffered Mitch Hunt. Don't think he was ever likely to be in the AB frame again, and best for Chiefs to start developing Jacomb.